Judges 7:1-7 – The Victorious Life
How would you define a victorious Christian Life? WFA
Forgiven, Obedient, Faithful, Blessed, Strong, Resisting Sin…
Why is it so many believers miss out on living a Victorious Life? How can we have a Victorious Life? Let’s look at a passage in Judges and see if we can make some observations.
Judges 7:1-7
7:1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ’Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’" So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
4 But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ’This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ’This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go."
5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place."
NIV
Three kinds of people are pictured here:
1. Those afraid v.3
a. 22,000 were afraid to go to battle – in spite of how God had blessed them in the past. Before we judge them too harshly, how often have we turned back in fear, even when we know God is a deliverer?
b. Parable of Talents – One man was afraid and did nothing. The Master of the house entrusted him with money expecting him to be a good steward of the money. Afraid, he did absolutely nothing which was worse than if he had at least tried.
c. Fear is a paralyzer. So many of us miss out on being Victorious in Christ because we are paralyzed with fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of what others may say or think of us. Fear of the unknown result.
2. Those without zeal v. 6
a. These are those that lack the drive and concern needed to be victorious. They are usually described as procrastinators, lazy, or self-centered.
b. They want to see a victory, they just don’t care enough to get into the game. This is evidenced by their lack of concern for the enemy by laying down their weapons and bending their heads to the water to drink. (demonstrate this).
3. Those prepared v. 7
a. These were the wary, vigilant warriors. The knelt down and put their hand to the water, lifting it to their mouth. They kept an ever watching eye on the horizon for the enemy.
b. A victorious Christian is one that is always on the lookout for Satan’s deceptions.
c. They are always vigilant in their faith.
d. They are obedient to God’s leading.
e. More importantly, they are ready for the Lord’s appearing. There were 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were ready and five were not. Luke chapter 12 tells us that we must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when we do not expect him.
Are you living a victorious life? God wants you to. You know Romans 8:37 says that “…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” If you know Christ as Savior then you are already victorious over sin. Your life can be lived out in a victorious way if you are prepared.
